Page 64 of My Secret Santa Daddies

I standin the living room, awkwardly fidgeting with the zipper on my jacket while Griffin, Cody, and Wyatt linger nearby.

“You don’t have to rush out if you’re not ready. The storm might be over, but it’s still pretty cold out there,” Wyatt says, eyeing me up and down.

“I think it’s best if I head back now. I’ve already overstayed my welcome.”

I feel hollow, standing there awkwardly, afraid to let myself feel anything after Griffin’s confession.

“You could never do that,” Wyatt cuts in, his voice firm, his eyes holding mine for a beat longer than comfortable.

“Sierra, no!” Jack comes barreling into the room, his face flushed with distress. He’s clutching one of his toys—a worn-out stuffed bear he’s named Buddy. “You can’t leave yet!”

I drop to one knee, opening my arms for Jack as he collides into me, wrapping his small arms around my neck. His hug is fierce, desperate, and it makes my chest ache.

“Jack,” I say softly, smoothing his hair back. “I’ll still be in Silver Ridge. I promise I’ll come see you soon, okay?”

“But I don’t want you to go! I want you to stay here… with us.”

“Jack, buddy,” Cody steps in, his voice gentle, “Sierra has her own house, she needs to go check on it, but she’ll be back to visit.”

“That’s right, Jack. I’ll be back soon, I promise.”

“Pinky swear?” Jack asks, his small face still crumpled with sadness.

I hold up my pinky, linking it with his. “Pinky swear.”

“Okay… but you better mean it.”

I pull him into another hug, my heart breaking a little more with each second. “I do, Jack. I really do.”

Wyatt clears his throat, looking over at Griffin. “Why don’t we help Sierra load her things.”

“It’s not much. I got it,” I say, standing up.

“Sierra, come on,” Cody says, shaking his head as he slips my bag out of my hand and into his. His eyes search mine, a mix of concern and something deeper. “If you need anything—anything at all—you know where to find us.”

I give him a small, sad smile. “I know. Thank you, Cody. You guys have already gone above and beyond.”

Wyatt comes back, carrying the last of my things. “Ready to go?” he asks, his voice soft.

I nod, my chest tightening at the thought of walking out that door. “Ready.”

But as I turn to leave, Jack’s voice rings out again. “Wait!”

I stop, turning back to see him holding out Buddy. “Take him,” he says, his lower lip trembling. “So you won’t be lonely.”

“Thank you, Jack. I’ll take good care of Buddy, I promise.”

I step out of the lodge, fighting away the tears that want to spill out. I climb into my car, the door slamming shut with a heavy finality.

Griffin leans into the window, his eyes full of something I can’t quite read.

“Take care of yourself, Sierra,” he says quietly.

I manage a quick nod, my voice barely steady. “You too.”

The engine roars to life, and as I pull away from the lodge, I glance back one last time.

Cody, Griffin, and Wyatt grouped together in the doorway, watching me go. Jack standing at the edge of the porch stairs, looking so small and defeated that I can’t bear to look at him anymore.

---